Mr Goldsmith fought off two others contenders on the shortlist at last night’s general meeting of the Richmond Park and North Kingston Conservatives and will take on Lib Dem incumbent Sarah Olney on June 8.

Richmond Park and North Kingston Conservative Association chairman Georgina Butler praised Mr Goldsmith as the best MP the constituency has ever had.

“Far from being a hardened Brexiteer as his opponents have painted him, he will fight for the best deal for Britain,” she said.

“After a resounding victory in the 2015 General Election, his absence from Parliament since last December has been a disappointment.”

Labour is allowing sitting MPs to run again in June without facing their local parties, meaning its incumbents in Mitcham and Morden, Tooting and Streatham will be the party’s candidates in the election.